Scopis

Scopis emerged from the German research landscape as a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Channels and Design Engineering (IPK) and the Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Founded in 2010 by former research colleagues Bartosz Kosmecki and Andreas Reutter, the company was established to commercialize advancements in surgical guidance systems. The founders' background in research at these prestigious institutions provided a direct pathway to developing their core technology.

The company develops and manufactures clinical navigation systems for image-guided surgery, with a specialization in laser-based measuring and endoscopic augmented reality. This technology is designed to serve the healthcare market, particularly surgeons in the fields of otorhinolaryngology (ENT), craniomaxillofacial (CMF), spine, and neurosurgery. Scopis' business model revolved around the sale of these high-precision medical devices and their accompanying software to hospitals and surgical centers. By improving surgical accuracy and reducing radiation exposure from traditional fluoroscopy devices, the company aimed to enhance surgical outcomes and operational efficiency.

Scopis' flagship product is the Hybrid Navigation system, which uniquely combines optical and electromagnetic tracking technologies in a single, portable unit. This allows surgeons to select the most suitable technology for a specific procedure or even use both simultaneously. A key feature is its augmented reality (AR) capability, which overlays preoperative planning data directly onto the live endoscopic view. This system, marketed as Target-Guided Surgery (TGS), provides surgeons with real-time anatomical guidance and instrument tracking, enhancing precision during delicate procedures. The platform includes planning software, such as Building Blocks®, and supports features like fiber tracking from diffusion tensor imaging and functional MRI data.

The company's journey included a seed funding round from High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) in 2010, followed by a Series A round in 2013 from investors including IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft and Fraunhofer Society. A significant milestone was achieved in November 2017 when the medical technology company Stryker acquired Scopis for an undisclosed amount, integrating Scopis' technology into its portfolio to strengthen its offerings in ENT and neurotechnology. Following the acquisition, the Scopis Hybrid Navigation System was rebranded as the Stryker ENT Navigation System.

Keywords: surgical navigation, augmented reality surgery, medical imaging, image-guided surgery, ENT surgery, neurosurgery, CMF surgery, spine surgery, medical devices, hybrid navigation, electromagnetic tracking, optical tracking, Target-Guided Surgery, medtech, surgical planning software, Fraunhofer spin-off, Charité spin-off, Stryker acquisition, endoscopic navigation, medical technology